Briqueting-machine.



' qwi bwwaaa Q f R. 0. HILLS. BRIQUETING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20,1905.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 2 PATBNTED MAR. 20, 19 06 No. 815,532. PATEN'TED MAR. 20, 1906.

R. H-ILLS. 5 BRIQUBTIN'G MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE ZO, 1905.

Y K i REzz-xnzzvut.

ethane/1 9 SHEETS-SHEET 3. v

' PATENTED MAR. 20, 1906.

Aha-815,532.-

- R. G. HILLS.

BRIQUETING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED mm". 20, 1905.

" a sung-SHEET 4 V I I v I v PATENTED'MAR. 20,1906. R. G. HILLS. I

BRIQUBTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 20, 1905.

9 SHEETS-SHBBT 6 "No. 815,532. FATENTED MAR. 20, 1906.

.R. a. HILLS.

BRIQUETING MACHINE. APPLIIOATION FILED JUNE 20.1905.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

wmmtoz qmi bmiclaoa a a ike-W13 PATENTED MAR. 20, 1906.

R. c. HILLS. BRIQUETING MACHINE; APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 20,1906.

9 SHEETFSHEET B.

; PATENTED MAR. 20, 1906.

SHEETS-SHEET 9.

' Rye. musk BRIQUETING; MAGHINR- APPLIGATION IILED JUNE 20, 1906.

I 5 larger scale.

TSATE'NT omen.

RICHARD o. HILLS, DENVER, COLORADO.

BRIQUETING-IVIACHINE.

Iva-815,532

Specification of Letters Patentratented March 20, 1906:

I Application filed June 20, 1905. Serial No. 266.12g-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD 0. Hum, a subject of the King. of Great Britain, residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Briqueting-Machines; and I do declare the following to' be a full, clear, and exact description of-the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyin drawings, and to the letters and figures of re erence marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to that class of multimechanism insuring at all times a briquet' of 3o constant size, Weight, and density.

My further object is to provide a machine of this class which shall be comparatively simple in construction, economical in cost, reliable, durable, and thoroughly practica- 3 5 ble in operation; and to these ends the invention consists of the features, arrangements, and combinations hereinafter described and claimed, all of which will be fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings,

in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top or plan view of my improved machine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, showing the shafts at the forward end of the machine'sectionized. Fig. 3" is a section taken on the line 3 3, Fig. 1. j 4 is a section taken on the line 4 4, Fig. 1. Figs. 5 and 6 are cross-sections taken on the lines 5 5 and 6 6, respectively, of Fig. 1, the parts being shown on a Fig. 7 is a centralv'ertical longitudinal section taken through the rear part of the machine, the forward portion ofthe structure being broken-away and the parts shown on a larger scale than in-Figs; 1 to 4,

5 5 inclusive. Fig. 8 is a section taken on the back from one to two inches when the 'briing the parts in difierent relative po itions. 6o

Fig. '11 is a fragmentary view showing the jmold-box and ram or plunger with the feed gmechanism' removed. Fig. 12 is an end view jof Fig. 11 looking toward the right. 7 Fig; 13

a view similar to Figs. 9 and 10, but with 5 5 the parts in different positions. Fig. 14 is a transverse section taken through the hopper. Fig. 15 'is' a detail view of the air-chamber connected with the relief-cylinder. Fig. 16 is a detail view of the hopper, showing the 76 adjustable plate for gaging and levelin the charge of material in the feed-space o the movable mold-box member. Fig. 17 is a detail view illustrating one of the relief-heads and showingits adjustable connection with the relief-plun er.

The same re erence characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate a supportingbase of cast-iron or of structural iron suit- Zably connected and adapted to be secured to a masonry foundation. (Not shown.) Upon this base are .mounted stationary cross-heads,

one on each end of the machine. The cross- W head at the right or forward extremity of the 8 5 machine, referring to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive,

is designated by the numeral 6, while that at the left or rear extremity ofthe machine is designated by the numeral 7. .The projecting extremities of these cross-heads are con- 0 nected, as shown in the drawings, by cross-. rods 8 and 9, respectively. The two crossheads are connected with each other by strong tension-rods 10.

At'the forward extremity of the machine 9 5 than the keys, so that each pressure-head when actuated may operate the relief-shaft 5 independently, and thus avoid the wear on the relief-plungers as each of the latter moves I quetis formed. no;

Centrally mounted on the relief-shaft and made fast thereto by a key A is a toothed segment A, which engages a rack B, mounted on the stem 24 of a piston 25, located in a hydraulic resistance-cylinder 26. A coil-spring 28 is interposed between the rack B and the stuffing-box 29 of the cylinder, which is secured to the cross-head 7. The cylinder 26 communicates with an upwardly-projecting chamber 30, having an air-space in its upper portion, which air-space renders the liquid, preferably oil, elastic. This chamber 30 is connected with a pressure-gage O, and the air-pressure in the chamber may be regulated by an air-pump (not shown) to give any desired pressure up to ten tons per square inch on the surface of the briquet. Arranged transversely across the machine intermediate the driving-shaft 12 and the pressure-heads is a number of mold-boxes 32, each composed of two members 32 and 32, mounted in the permanent mold-casing 2. The rear part 32 is relatively short and stationary and is chamfered off, as shown at 32, to prevent the accumulation of the material at the point of contact with the front part, which will hereinafter be termed the movable mold-box member.- Above each of these boxes and arranged to communicate with an opening or feed space 32 in the movable mold-box member when the {latter is properly mani ulated is a hopper 33. The material to be riqueted is fed from this hopper at predetermined intervals into the said feed-space. Sliding rams 0r plungers 38 enter the movable mold-box members from the front. The forward extremity of each plunger is pivotally connected, as shown at 39, with a pitman 40, the latter being connected with a strap 41 of an eccentric 42, fast on the shaft 12. The joint 39, connecting the plunger 88 and the pitman 40, is connected to form a sort of cross-head slidably supported on a suitable track 39*, mounted on the framework.

Entering each mold-box from the rear and cooperating with the corresponding ram 38 is the relief-plunger 44, connected with the pressure-head 19 as aforesaid. The manner of this connection is as follows: The relief-plunger 44 is connected with a cross-head 44, the latter being also connected with a threaded rod 44, passing through a sleeve 44 located in the bifurcated eccentric projection of the relief-head. This sleeve 44 is provided on opposite sides with journals 44, which engage half-bearings formed in the relief-head. The sleeve is secured in place by a plate 44, bolted to the relief-head on opposite sides of the sleeve. The threaded connecting-rod 44 is provided with nuts 44 located at the opposite ends of the sleeve. By means of these nuts the connecting-rod 44 may be shortened and lengthened at will, whereby the'normal forward extension of the reliefplunger 44 may be regulated and the size of the briquet formed in the mold-box con trolled as may be desired. Attention is called to the fact that the briquet when formed is partly in the stationary mold-box member 32 and partly in the movable member 32. Of course if the connecting-rod 44 is shortened, whereby the forward extremity of the relief-plunger 44 is located farther in the rear when the ram 38 is at its rearward limit of movement, the s ace between the extremities of the ram of t 1e relief-plunger will be relatively greater than when the rod 44 is lengthened. It is evident from this that by adjusting the rod connecting the relief-head with the relief-plunger crosshead the size of the briquet may be regulated. Also by this expedient the density of the briquet may be regulated, since assuming that the charge used in making a briquet is the same in both cases it is evident that the larger the moldspace or that into which the completed briguet is finally contained the less will be the ensity, since the briquet in each case contains the same amount of material.

Each movable mold-box member 32 is connected with two cross-heads 36 by two bars 36, one of these bars being located on each side of the corresponding ram 38, as shown in the drawings. Each pitman 40 passes between two of the crossheads 36. To each pair of these cross-heads are attached by means of bolts, as shown in the drawings, or in any other suitable manner, the rear extremities of four rods or bars 47, two above and two below the eccentric shaft 12. The forward extremities of these rods are supported by the crossdieads 6, the saidv rods sliding freely in openings formed therein. To each lower rod 47 is attached a tappet 48. These tappets are arranged to be engaged by two of the involute cams 15 of the shaft 12 for the purpose of imparting the forward movement to the movable mold-box member 32, together with the rectangular frame composed of the two cross-heads 36 and the four rods or bars 47. Mounted upon the two upper rods 47 of each rectangular frame are two similar tappets 49, located rearward of the tappets 48 and arranged to be engaged by two other cams 15 of the shaft 12 for the purpose of imparting the rearward movement to the mold-box member 32 and its attachments. The tappets 49 are located on the outside of the upper rods 47 and the cams 15 rotate in planes of these tappets. (See Fig. 1.) of the lower rods 47 and the cams 15 rotate in the planes of these last-named tappets.

Located in the recess X, formed in the rear extremity of the upper portion of the movable mold-box member, is an extractor de- The tappets 48 are located on the inside vice 50, consisting of abody part 50, two angle-plates 50 a roller 50, and a depending member 50, adapted to directly engage a briquet for extracting purposes. This exdownwardly in the feed-opening 32 of the the movable mold-box member, whereby the tractor is connected with'the upper plate ofthe movable mold-box member by bolts 50 Coil-springs 50 are interposed between the tops of the angle-plates 50 and thetop of the mold-box. When the movable mold-box member is at its forward limit of movement,

the roller 50 of the extractor device engages the beveled face 51 of atransversely-dis" posed piece 51, whose extremities are secured to the mold-case by bolts 51.

To the stationary mold-case 2 in the rear of the hopperare attached an upright plate 66 and two similar plates 66*, located on opposite sides of the central plate 66. Vertically slidable in grooves formed in these upright plates are two feeders or feeding devices from the hopper.

63, each composed of two upright parts 63*, and a weight 64, connected with the upright parts by bolts 65. The lower part of each device 63 or the feeder device pro er is adapted to enter the feed-space 32 0 the movable box member when the latter isat its rearward limit of movement. The gravity of the feeder due to the weight 64 when unobstructed will be sufficient to cause it to move movable mold-box member and cause a charge of material therein to enter the hollow s ace of the mold-box. (See Fig. 9.) Each eeder is raised from the position shown in Fig. 9 through the instrumentality of a cam 61, mounted on a shaft 62, journaled in suitable bearings supported in the mold-case.

- Each cam 61 acts on a roller 63 of the feeder and lifts the same to the position shown in Fig. 13, whereby the movable mold-box member is allowed to move forwardly in order to receive another charge of material The cams 61 are so constructed that the feeder is held in the elevated position a sufficient period of time to the relief-plunger 44 cooperating to produce allow the mold-box to move forwardly, receive a'charge of material, andreturn toits rearward limit of movement. (Shown in Fig. .9.) Then the feeder will be released and carried downwardly by its weight to perform the feeding function. The lower part of this feeder is hollow, forming a sort of shell which really cuts the material or loosens it from the walls of the feed-opening 32 of briquet material is allowed to drop downwardly into the briquet-space of the moldbox between the extremities of the ram and the relief-plunger As this material reaches a position in front of the approaching ram 38 the latter immediately follows, engages the said material, (see Fi 2,) and continues its movement to the posltion shown; in Fig. 10, when the briquet is formed, the ram 38 and this result, the relief-plun er being forced back into the stationary mo d-box member a distance depending upon the amount of the charge and the length of the desired briquet.

(See Fig. 12.)

as shown in Fig. 13.

Accordingly'the briquet is formed partly in I the movable and partly in the stationary member of the mold-box.

In order to keep the briquet material Y sufficiently agitated in the hopper to cause it to flow freely into the feed-space 32 when the movable mold-box member is in the proper position, I employ an agitating or stirring-arm 71,- which is connected with the top plate of the movable mold-box member and moves back and forth therewith. When the movable mold-box member is at its forward limit of movement, the rear extremity of this arm is in the forward position, whereby it presents no obstruction to the passage of material from the hopper into the feed-open ing of themovable mold-box member.

From the description of the construction and relative arrangement of the arts for actuating the ram and the movab e mold-box member, as heretofore described, it'will be understood that the movable mold box member which is actuated during its rear- .ward travel by cams 15 on the shaft 12 will -move rearwardly faster than the ram, which being actuated by the eccentric on the shaft 12 has a comparativelyslow movement.

As each briquet is molded the shaft 20 will be actuated by the relief-plunger, and the seg- -ment A on the said shaft cooperating with the rack B on. the piston-stem 24 moves the piston 25 in the resistance-cylinder 26 and prevents breakage or injury to the mechanism. The key 19", which fastens each reliefhead 19 to the shaft 20, is fast on the shaft and engages the key-seat 19, which is considerably arger than the key,thus permitting the shaft to be actuated by each relief-head and its plunger independently while the other plungers remain stationary as each briquet is formed, each idle relief-head being retained in place by its own weight.

Assuming that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 10 and that the briquet isformed in the mold-box, the ram and movable mold-box member will begin the return or forward movement, the one by its eccentric tion of another'briquet, and the operation just described will be repeated.

The stationary mold-case 2-, to which reference heretofore has been made, extends} transversely across the machine and is bolted to the framework 5. The movable mold' box members glide freely in this mold-case, and the hoppers are securely bolted thereto.

The cam-shaft 62 for controlling the feeders is actuated by a train of gears 62 to which power may be transmitted from any suitable source, preferably by connection with similar gears on the shaft 12.

As the movable mold-box member moves rearwardly, carrying a charge of briquet material from the hopper, it is essential that some means be employed for gaging the charge or'leveling it at the top in order that the depth of material in the feed-space of the movable member may be uniform. In order to accomplish this, I connect a rod 80 with the rear side of the hopper and attach a gageplate 81 to its lower extremity, the said gageplate projecting into the outwardly-flared portion of the feed-space on one side. This outwardly-flared part of the feed-space is formed by beveling the top plate on the movable mold-box member ,on both sides of the feed-space proper, as shown at 82. In order that the rod 80, together with the gageplate, may be vertically movable, a nut 83 is placed between two stationary parts 84 and 85. Now as this nut 83 is turned in any suitable manner the rod and gage-plate may be moved upwardly and downwardly at will, as will be readily understood.

In the operation of the machine power is transmitted to the driving-shaft 12 from any suitable motor through the instrumentality of suitable gearing. (Shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4.) As shown in the drawings, pinions 54 mesh with gears 55, fast on the shaft 12. The driving-pulley (not shown) is mounted on the pinion-shaft 53.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a briqueting-machine, the combination of a mold-box composed of a movable member and a stationary cooperating member, a reciprocating ram entering the movable member, and a yieldingly-supported relieflun 'er enterin the stationar member and cooperating with the ram, substantially as described.

2. The combination of a mold-box, comprising a movable member and a cooperating stationary member, a ram entering the movable member, a relief-plunger entering the stationary member, and means for imparting reciprocating motion to the ram and the movable mold-box member.

3, In a machine of the class described, the combination with a suitable case, of a moldbox provided with a movable mold member arranged to slide in the case, a plunger arranged to enter the mold from the front, and means for operating the plunger and the movable mold-box member, the arrangement being such that the movement of the 'mold-box member is uniformly more rapid than that of the plunger.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a suitable frame having a case, a mold having a member movable in the case, a plunger arranged to enter the mold from the front, a shaft provided with an eccentric with which the plunger is connected in operative relation, a frame connected with the movable mold-box member and provided with front and rear tappets, cams mounted on the eccentric-shaft and arranged to engage the front and rear tappets respectively, for imparting a relatively rapid reciprocating movement to the movable mold member, and a relief-plunger entering the mold from the rear, substantially as described.

5. In a multiple-mold bri( uet-machine, the combination with a suitable frame, of a mold-case extending transversely across the machine, of molds provided with movable mold members slid able in said case, drivingplungers entering the mold from the front, a shaft provided with eccentrics with which the driving-plungers are connected in operative relation, frames provided with front and rear tappets, said frames being connected with the movable mold-box members, and cams mounted on the eccentric-shaft and adapted to respectively engage the front and rear tappets for imparting a reciprocating movement to the movable mold-box members.

6. The combination with a suitable frame having a mold-case extending transversely thereacross, molds having members slidable in said case, said molds being open at the front and rear, resistance- )lungers entering said molds from the rear am having a limited movement as described, driving-plungers entering said molds from the front, a shaft having eccentrics with which the driving-plungers are connected, frames connectedv with the movable mold-box members and provided with front and rear tappets, and two sets of cams mounted on the eccentric shaft, one set acting on the front tappets to impart movement to the movable mold-box member in one direction, and the other set acting on the rear tappets to impart movement in the opposite direction.

7. The combination with a suitable frame, and a mold case extending transversely across the same intermediate its extremities, of molds mounted in the mold-case, each mold having a member slidable in said case, the said molds being open at the front and rear, driving-plungers arranged to enter the molds from the front, resistance-plungers entering the molds from the rear, a hydraulic resistance-cylinder, and a piston therein suitably connected with all of the resistance-plungers for the purpose set forth.

8. The combination with a suitable frame and amold-case extending transversely across the same intermediate its extremities, of molds mounted in the mold-case each mold having, a member slida'ble in said case, the

I said molds being open at the front and rear,

'- driving-plungers arranged to enter the molds from the front, a shaft having eccentrics with which the driving-'plun'gers are connected, re-

head being connected with the shaft to actuate the latter independently and without moving the other heads, the resistance-plungers being connected with the relief-heads, a hydraulic resistance-cylinder, apist'on therein, a rack mounted on the iston-stem, and a cogg'ed s'eg mentfast on t e relief-shaft and engaging the rack of the piston-stem.

10. The combination w1th a suitable frame and a stationary mold-case, of molds located in said case, each mold having a movable member, driving-plungers entering" the molds from the front, a driving-shaft, connections between said shaft and the driving-plungers and movable mold members, whereby the said lungers and mold members are reciprocate the movement of the mold members being more rapid than the movement of the plungers, resistance plungers entering the molds from the rear, relief-heads connected with said plungers, a relief-shaft upon which said heads are mounted, a hydraulic cylinder, a piston therein, and a suitable connection between the piston and the relief-head shaft.

11. The combination with a stationary mold-case, of 'molds located therein, each mold having a movable member, drivingplungers entering the molds from the front, a driving-shaft, connections between said shaft and the driving-plungers and movable mold, members, whereby the said plungers and mold members are reciprocated,'the move-' ment of the mold members being uniformly more rapid than them'ovement ofthe pluners. i Y

g 12. The combination with a mold-case, of molds supported by said case each mold having one movable member, driving-plungers 5 entering the molds from the front, a driving rear, relief heads with which the resistancethe rear, a shaft 'journaled in the frame, relief-heads mounted on said shaft, each relief-" shaft, connections between said shafts and the driving-plungers and movable mold members whereby the said plunger's and mold members are. reciprocated, resistance-plun- 1 gers entering the molds from the rear, reliefshaft and said headsrespectively connected with said lunger's, a relief-shaft upon which said hea s are mounted, a hydraulic cylinder, a piston therein, and a suitable operative connection be tween the piston and the relief-shaft.

13. The combination with a frame and a mold-case, of mold-boxes located in said case, each box having a member 'slid'able in the case, 'driyin -plungers entering the moldboxes from the ont, means for reciprocating the driving-plungers and movable mold-box members, relief-plungers entering the moldboxes from the rear, relief-heads res ectively engaging the relief-plungers and re iefshaft upon which said heads are mounted, a hydraulic cylinder, a piston therein, and a suitable operative connection between the reliefpiston, substantially as de scribed.-

14. In a bri'quet-machine, the combination with a suitable frame, of a mold mount led on the frame open at the front and rear :and having a movablemember, a drivingplunger arranged to enter the mold at one extremity, a resistance-plun'er arranged to enter the mold at the opposite extremity, a bri uet-extractor mounted on thefmovable mo d member, thelatter'being provided with an opening through which the extractor projects downwardly, whereby as the movable mold member moves forwardly, the extractor is brought into contact with the b'riquet ito release and eject the same, substantially as described.

15. The combination with a suitable frame, of a mold mounted on the frame and open at the front and rear, said mold having a -movable member, a driving-plunger arranged to enter the mold at one extremity, a resistance-plunger arranged to enter the mold at the op osite extremity, an extractor device mounte on the rear extremity of the movable mold member, the latter having an 7 opening through which the extractor projects downwardly to engagement with the briquet to be extracted as the movable mold member moves forwardly, the extractor device being provided with a roller, and a stationary actuating device mounted on the frame and adapted to enga e the roller of the extractor device whereby t e latter is moved downwardly at the point where the briquet' is to be discharged.

16. In a briquet-machine, the combination with a suitable frame, of a mold mounted on the frame and open at the front and rear,

said mold having a movable mold member, a driving-plunger arranged to enter the mold at one extremity, a resistance-plunger arranged to enter the mold at the opposite ex- 1 0 tremity, a spring-supported extractor device mounted 011 the rear extremity of the movable mold member, a stationary bar mounted on the frame, an antifrictional roller mounted on the extractor device and adapted to enga e said bar which is provided with an inclined face, whereby as the movable mold member moves forwardly, the roller of the extractor device engages said inclined face, which forces the extractor device downwardly to eject the briquet, substantially as described.

17. In a bri uet-machine, the combination with a mo d-case, of a mold having a member slidable in said case, a driving-plum ger entering the mold from the front, a hop per mounted on the mold-case and communicating with the feed-space with which the movable mold member is provided when the I fr latter is properly adjusted, and a stirring device mounted on the slidable mold member,

and entering the hopper, the said stirring device moving with the slidable mold member,

for the purpose set forth.

18. The combination with a stationary mold-case, a mold-box located in said case and having a movable mold member, a driving-plunger engaging said mold-box from the front, a cooperating resistance-plunger engaging the mold-box from the rear, the movable mold member having a feed-space communicating with the chamber of the moldbox, a vertically movable feed plunger mounted on the frame, and suitable means for actuating the same whereby as the feedspace of said movable member reaches the proper position, the said plunger descends and causes the briquet material to enter the mold-box chamber in front of the plunger.

19. The combination with a suitable frame and mold-case, of a mold-box located in said case and having a movable mold member, means for reci rocating said member, the movable mol member having a feed-space, a hopper mounted on the moldcase and arranged to discharge into the feedspace of the movable mold member when the latter is in the proper position, a horizontallyreciprocating driving-plunger entering the mold-box from the front, a relief-plunger entering the mold-box from the rear, a vertically-movable feed-plunger adapted to enter the feed-space of the vertieally-movable mold member when the latter is in the proper position, said feed-plunger being )rovided with an antifrictional roller, suitable guides for the feed-plunger, a cam mounted on the ame, and means for actuating the can] whereby the feed-plunger engages the roller and raises the plunger at predetermined intervals, substantially as described.

20. In a briquet-maehine, the combination with a suitable frame, of a movable mold-box member provided with a feedspace, a hopper for supplying material to said space, means for reciprocating the movable mold-box member, and a vertically-adjustable gage-plate suitably mounted on the frame and projecting into the feed-space of the movable mold-box member for the pur pose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD C. HILLS.

Witnesses:

A. J. OBRIEN, DENA NELSON. 

